It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
